The 380 people selected by governors of 76 provinces yesterday underwent training on disseminating content of the draft charter as part of preparations for the public referendum.

The training for the 380 people, five from each province except Bangkok, was conducted by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and the Interior Ministry.

Presiding over the launch of the training session, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said his commission’s subcommittee on public relations and surveys, led by Chartchai na Chiangmai, has categorised those selected into three groups.

The first group, which was present at yesterday’s event, was named Kru Kor and the members would be trained to become charter specialists at the provincial level. They will share their knowledge on the draft charter with the second group, Kru Koh, who will become charter draft specialists at the district level.

Kru Koh will then pass their knowledge on to the third group, Kru Khor, who will become draft charter specialists at the village level.

There had previously been concerns that the move to have these specialists disseminate draft charter content in the provinces would give rise to conflicts with opponents in communities. However, this concern has been dismissed as those selected to join the training are well- known figures who are accepted by the locals.

Meechai said the CDC pinned its hopes on the Kru Kor group, as they will become top specialists and will pass on their knowledge to teams overseeing dissemination of information at district and village levels.

The CDC chief added that the training would only focus on the draft charter content, and in no way guide the specialists to influence votes.

He also dismissed concerns about political moves to get voters to reject the draft charter afterDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reportedly urged people to vote down the draft.

Meechai also insisted that the draft charter was not depriving people of their rights as it contains provisions that guarantee rights, such as consumer rights as well as the right to sue the state, including the Cabinet and state agencies, for failure to enforce law.

“I would like people to read the draft charter’s content instead of just criticising it outright. We should think about the country’s benefit more,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said it was fine that the Election Commission (EC) was holding a platform for politicians to discuss the draft charter content on today at the Royal Thai Army Club, adding that this would allow the EC to clarify any doubts politicians might have about the draft charter.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, members of the National Reform Steering Assembly and the National Legislative Assembly will also be present to answer questions raised by the politicians, he said. Prawit added that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had also agreed with the plan to hold such platforms because the government has been accused of not setting up a stage allowing for the explanation of the draft charter. The National Council for Peace and Order will not be present at the event because it has nothing to do with it, he added.

Prawit also said that he was confident the platform will ease the political tension caused by politicians strongly attacking the draft charter.

Meanwhile, Meechai said he would dispatch the best legal experts to attend the event and help clarify doubts raised by the politicians. He said nobody would be stopped from expressing their honest opinion about the draft charter.

Separately, some members of Neo Democracy group led by Pakorn Areekul and Chonthicha Chaengrew showed up at the Bangkok hotel where the training was being held to distribute leaflets carrying anti-draft charter messages.

Meechai also received a copy but did not say anything.

Pakorn said his group just wanted people to have “both sides of the story”. The group left the hotel without any hassles.